gaining weight and getting even more frustrated..

I gained about 30lbs after I had my thyroid nuked, and I can not seem to get rid of it. I have been working out for 2 weeks so far, everyday for 45 minutes, and eating around 1300 calories. My BMI is 34 and two days ago I was 208, and now I am 211. What am I doing wrong? I feel tighter(due to the walking at 3.5 for 30 minutes a day but I am afraid I am going to look like the hulk when I am done.

Try reducing your calories? Monitor your food intake as well.

Original Post by driftpsychosis:

Try reducing your calories? Monitor your food intake as well.

 ??? She's eating 1300cals & working out for 45mins a day? I'd be looking to increase them!

hollyschwarz- I've read that when you're working out your muscles will retain fluid, and also if you're building muscle you'll weigh a little heavier as it weighs more than fat? Work out your BMR, add your exercise burn, and see what YOU would need to maintain your weight, then take away 500cals (or a suitable amount) to lose 1lb a week (in theory of course- the numbers don't always work!)

Also- if the scales aren't showing the change- try monitoring your measurements- sometimes they show a change before the scales do? HTH?

Thank you very much. I do happen to watch what I eat, a little too much. I do not eat bread, sugar, or anything bad. I have been eating lots of raw veggies, 120 calories chicken breast with a salad for dinner, and fit and active yogurt for a snack. Thank you so much!!

What do you mean "thyroid nuked"?  Are you on any meds?

Having similar issues -- my thyroid and adrenals are in horrible shape and I put on 15lbs in three days last month.  They have yet to go.  I'm waiting on tests, tests and more tests.

I also gained a ton of weight after my thyroid was fried. However after the doctor's were able to get my meds correct the weight did come off with lots of diet and exercise.  I did have to reduce my calories to about 1200 a day.

When you say you had your thyroid 'nuked,' I'm guessing you underwent some type of surgery to correct something that was wrong with it.  Am I right?

If so, something worth remembering is that someone without a normal, functional thyroid gland is functionally similar to someone with hypothyroidism.  My sis has hypothyroid, and when it's not properly managed, it plays havoc with her weight and well-being (and emotions).

I'm going to second asmitherma's indirect suggestion: if you haven't already, see a doctor, get on something like Synthroid, and make sure your level is adjusted correctly.  This is difficult if you don't have medical insurance or live in a country, region, or state that provides health care -- but it's essential, and makes an enormous difference.

One caveat: since you're working out daily, I wouldn't be at all surprised if you're simply putting on more weight in muscle than you're losing in fat.  Some people build muscle very quickly, and can see a net weight gain before they start seeing weight loss, when working out on a decreased caloric intake -- my roommie is like that.

The up-side is that, if you're someone who builds muscle easily, you're increasing your metabolism faster than someone like me, who takes forever to build muscle :D  The down-side is that it makes using a scale to guage your progress much harder.

Like Irishmum, I also think you might not be taking in enough calories -- insufficient caloric intake can put your body in starvation mode pretty quickly, and can definitely interfere with your weight-loss efforts.  It's worth noting, also, that starvation mode doesn't wait 'til you're skin and bones -- as soon as your body decides that there must be some kind of famine, it will do everything in its power to preserve your reserves of fat and protect your vital organs and brain.  However, as asmitherma noted, you may have different needs due to the situation with your thyroid.

I don't think you'll end up looking like the hulk -- a lot of peopleseem to 'put on muscle' without getting much bigger (I'm one of them, and if it helps, from what I understand, stretching also makes a big difference, if you don't want bulky muscles).  It must be an advantage left over from prehistoric times or something -- the element of surprise!  :D

Anyway, good luck, I hope this helps at least some, and I hope you'll start seeing the kind of progress you're looking for soon.

Yes!! Thanks a lot! I did have my thyroid destroyed, so I have been on a very high throid medication to basically supplement not having a throid anymore. I am on Levothyrozine, and it sucks!! I have been on a up and down hill at the doctors trying to regulate my body, and it has been a year:(

I do happen to gain muscle very quickly. it just gets disturbing when you jump on a scale and you are 6lbs heavier than the day before, and then 4 hrs. later, it seems to melt back down to the original weight. I am one of those people that do not look like I am 200lbs, but I know that I am. I am muscular under all the "fat", I know this. Thanks again fo rall the feedback. I am going to use all of it to my advantage.

Why don't you get some of those scales that show body fat and water?  If you're UK based Sainsbury's are doing deals on a lot of them at the moment.  That way if you're not losing weight at least you can see whether you're losing fat!

Actually, I have recently bought a scale that tells everything. I had to add in all kinds of stuff and it automatically shows me evertime I get on it. I have lost some body fat, and I feel a lot tighter, I am just like everyone else I guess; wants results fast. I do have to say that I am feeling wonderful at this time. I feel healthier, and I have so much energy. I haven't felt this great in a long time. Thnaks for the advice!!